World leaders unite in praise of Nelson Mandela

What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves. South African President Jacob Zuma

How blessed we have been. He has become the most admired statesman in the world, an icon of forgiveness and reconciliation, a moral colossus … wonderful man, wonderful, wonderful gift to us. Archbishop Desmond Tutu

(Above: Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Nelson Mandela holding the World Cup in 2004)

Nelson Mandela showed what is possible for our world and within each one of us – if we believe, dream and work together for justice and humanity. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Every now and then a soul of rare vintage comes our way. That by circumstances, sacrifice and suffering, finds its way into the soul of our global culture, the family of man, and calls our better angels to fly. Such a soul is Nelson Mandela. American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson

(Above: American civil rights leader the Reverend Jessse Jackson at the Nelson Mandela statue in Parliament Square, London)

Tomorrow’s children will not be able to say, as we can with pride and a deep sense of privilege, that we lived in the time of Nelson Mandela, a unique and memorable human being. Sir Shridath Ramphal, Commonwealth secretary-general from 1975 to 1990

I would like to express my extreme grief at the passing away of a man who stood for human rights and for equality in this world. He made us all understand that nobody should be penalised for the colour of his skin, for the circumstances into which he is born. He also made us understand that we can change the world. Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Tonight, one of the brightest lights of our world has gone out. Nelson Mandela was not just a hero of our time but a hero of all time. British Prime Minister David Cameron

For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived, a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. US president Barack Obama

Mr Mandela was the embodiment of courage and reconciliation. He was also a man of great humour and had a real zest for life. Prince Charles

(Above: Prince Charles meets Nelson Mandela in November 1997)

This is an event affecting the whole world. The world-respected Mr. Mandela has passed away, we feel strongly for this loss. Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang